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Ohio state employees will continue to be protected from discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity or expression

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On his first day in office, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed an executive order which prohibits discrimination against LGBTQ people in state employment. This executive order extends a previous order signed by outgoing Governor John Kasich. Gov. DeWine is the fifth governor to issue an executive order protecting LGBTQ people in the last four weeks – following outgoing Governors John Kasich (OH) and Rick Snyder (MI) and new Governors Gretchen Whitmer (MI) and Tony Evers (WI).

“Republicans, Democrats, and Independents are coming together to affirm what we all know to be true: Our nation is at strongest when everyone is able to live their lives without the fear of discrimination,” said Masen Davis, CEO of Freedom for All Americans. “Governor DeWine’s executive order is an important step toward comprehensive nondiscrimination protections for all LGBTQ people in Ohio and nationwide. I’m grateful for partners like Equality Ohio who are moving equality forward and building critical bipartisan momentum towards securing full equality for LGBTQ Americans nationwide.”

Ohio is one of 31 states nationwide that lacks explicit and comprehensive protections for LGBTQ people. The string of recent executive orders comes as state legislatures across the country return to session – with some poised to advance nondiscrimination legislation.

“Discrimination against LGBTQ people is a real and urgent problem impacting millions of Americans everyday,” said Davis. “It’s clear elected officials from both parties are hearing their constituents loud and clear as they take action to protect LGBTQ Americans from discrimination. As LGBTQ nondiscrimination legislation advances in states like Virginia and New York, we know momentum is on our side to secure full equality for all LGBTQ Americans – and soon.”

While executive orders bring relief to those they cover – often LGBTQ state employees or employees of state contractors – discrimination in the workplace, in housing, and in public spaces continues to affect LGBTQ people nationwide. Visit the new Faces of Freedom storytelling hub to learn about how discrimination impacts real people each and every day. The new website features more than 350 stories from nearly every state.

BY MELANIE NATHAN, mostly a mom!
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